title: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult females in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: The purpose of this present study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adult females in the United Arab Emirates. A total number of 724 females, age 20-90 years, were recruited from the seven Emirates. The sample was divided into three age groups, 20 to <30 years, 30 to <60 years and >60 years. Height, weight and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured in each subject. Overweight and obesity were defined as a body mass index of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 and >30 kg/m2, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 27% and 16%, respectively. The age group between 30 and <60 years had the highest prevalence of overweight (33%) and obesity (24%). In conclusion, the findings from our study suggest that a high proportion of adult females in the United Arab Emirates are overweight and obese. The consequences of this are a serious concern for public health and need to be addressed.
authors.affiliation: International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. layla.sheikh@gmail.com
authors.forename: Layla I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Sheikh-Ismail
authors.forename: C Jeya K
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lightowler
authors.forename: Ayesha S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Aldhaheri
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masuadi
authors.forename: Huda M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Al Hourani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult